Senior Driver

Job description

To provide support to the Transport Officer and his assistants in the delivery of the service.

Responsibilities

• Provide transport for children with severe/moderate learning difficulties as required.
• Assist children with mobility problems as required.
• Ensure that the Education Authority behavioral policy is observed and implemented.
• Operate tail lifts and ramps on vehicles and ensure security of wheelchairs.
• Liaise between School Principal/s and the Transport Section at Headquarters regarding the scheduling of buses and the allocation of duties during the school day.
• Undertake any other duties within the Transport Unit as may reasonably be required.
• Co-ordinate drivers to facilitate the allocation of school trips as directed by the Transport Unit.
• Instruct drivers on work to be carried out as allocated by the Transport Unit staff and assign duties as necessary.
• Prepare and submit time sheets on an accurate and timely basis.
• Check and verify vehicle log sheets/tachograph charts and submit to the unit for processing.
• Organise temporary cover for periods of absence of drivers and escorts.
• Undertake emergency driver cover as required.
• Train new drivers in Education Authority operational and vehicle documentary procedures in respect of the following areas:- Vehicle maintenance procedures and completion of relevant documentation- log sheets, accident reports etc.
• Use of specialist equipment.
• Examine and report vehicle defects including those buses allocated to Youth Service and ensure that these vehicles are presented to the Education Authority’s Maintenance Depot for routine servicing and repair work.
• Investigate and report on accidents as required by the Transport Unit.
• Ensure prompt submission of accident forms.
• Employees will accept any training to facilitate the undertaking of duties for jobs up to and including their own grade.
• Employees will accept training for jobs graded at higher levels than their own. Payment will only be made where there is a requirement by the authority for the higher level duties to be carried out.
• All duties must be carried out to comply with: - The Health and Safety at Work (NI) Order 1987. Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments, Regulations and other legal requirements. Codes of Practice.
• All duties will be carried out in the working conditions normally inherent in the particular job.
• All necessary paperwork must be completed.
• Duties will be carried out for jobs up to and including those in the same grade, provided such duties are within the competence of the employee.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Hold a full category D Licence.
• Hold a valid Driver Qualification Card (CPC).
• Digital Tachograph Card (Candidates MUST have a valid Digital Tachograph card prior to commencement of employment).
• Have a minimum of three years’ experience in a paid capacity of driving a bus (i.e. 17 seat vehicle and above).
• Have demonstrable experience of managing staff.
• Willingness to undertake some evening/weekend work to support schools and managers.
• The successful candidate will be required to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and;
• Effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR Be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport.
• that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Further Information

Location: Transport Depot Hammer, Agnes Street, Belfast, BT13 1SH. A full list of responsibilities, essential and desirable criteria can be found on the Education Authority website by following the Apply Direct button. The Education Authority is an equal opportunities employer.